How a Corpus Christi military mom surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School

Army Sgt. First Class Irene Zepeda returned from Afghanistan. This is how she surprised her daughter at school. READ ABOUT IT: http://bit.ly/2GgXOCN
Alexandria Rodriguez, Corpus Christi Caller-Times

Buy Photo

Miriam Lopez, 8, looks up at her mom, Army Sergeant First Class Irene Zepeda, and cries. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.(Photo: Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times)Buy Photo

Garcia Elementary student Miriam Lopez didn't want toys for Christmas. She wanted to see her mom.

"I love and I miss my mom. I saw my mom last year. My mom was deployed in Afghanistan," she wrote in her letter. "It makes me sad when I can't see my mom. If I could see my mom I would run to her and give her a big hug."

That hug became closer to reality in November when Army Sgt. First Class Irene Zepeda landed in Georgia, where she is stationed. Since then she constantly thought about the day she would see Miriam.

Thursday was that day.

"She said I'm going to pick her up after school, and we said 'no, please let us be a part of this," Garcia Elementary principal Norma De Leon said.

Then a plan was put into action. Zepeda would show up at the school about 1 p.m. Miriam and her fellow third-grade classmates would enter the library. That's where Superintendent Roland Hernandez would read them a Christmas story about soldiers overseas.

Buy Photo

Garcia Elementary School student Miriam Lopez, 8, wrote a letter to Santa. In the letter, she tells Santa she wants to see her mom for Christmas. Her mom was deployed to Afghanistan for nine months.(Photo: Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times)

After the story, Santa would arrive with toys for the students and Zepeda would surprise Miriam.

"It's very hard to leave her every time I leave," Zepeda said as she began to cry. "She's very strong. She's just a very strong kid. She has a lot of resiliency and she has a big heart."

That's why Zepeda wanted to make her return special for Miriam.

And it was.

As soon as Miriam saw her she threw her hands up and yelled "Mom!" The two embraced for nearly a minute as students, teachers and Corpus Christi Independent School District board members and staff clapped and cheered.

Army Sergeant First Class Irene Zepeda hugs her daughter, Miriam Lopez, as family record their reunion nearby. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018.(Photo: Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times)

"I missed you," Miriam said as she held on tightly to her mom and cried.

The duo was given a $200 gift card to Target and an iPad to communicate when Zepeda is away.

The two will pack their bags and go on a Disney cruise Friday and will spend the holidays together.

Posted!

A link has been posted to your Facebook feed.

Buy Photo

Army Sergeant First Class Irene Zepeda hugs her daughter, Miriam Lopez, as family record their reunion nearby. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Garcia Elementary School student Miriam Lopez, 8, wrote a letter to Santa. In the letter, she tells Santa she wants to see her mom for Christmas. Her mom was deployed to Afghanistan for nine months. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Miriam Lopez, 8, holds her mom's hand as she stands next to family members at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Her mom, Army Sargent First Class Irene Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Miriam Lopez, 8, looks at her mom Irene Zepeda as her family takes photos and video nearby. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Miriam Lopez, 8, looks up at her mom, Army Sergeant First Class Irene Zepeda, and cries. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Third graders from Garcia Elementary School listen to Santa talking to their class mate Miriam Lopez. Miriam wrote a letter to Santa asking to see her mom, who was deployed for nine months. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times

Army Sergeant First Class Irene Zepeda hugs her daugher, Miriam Lopez, 8. Zepeda returned from Afghanistan and surprised her daughter at Garcia Elementary School on Thursday, Dec. 13, 2018. Alexandria Rodriguez/Caller-Times